Latch mechanism



AU8 25, 1931- i.. E'DELsoN 1,820,058

LATCH MECHANISM original'mied Nov. 11, 1926 IN VEN TOR Auio EDELSON A TTORNEY Patented Aug. 25, 1931 UNITED STATES PA'I'IEIN'I"l yOFFICE'.

Y LEON EDELSON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO EDWARD' Gr. BUDD Y MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA., PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION or PENNSYLVANIA LATCH MECHANISM Application led Novemberll, 1926, Serial No. 147,647. Renewed February 11, 1931.

This invention relates to a latch mechanism ,particularly adapted for use upon doors of closed automobile bodies, although it could be used in other relations.y

In order to permit of the use ofa window substantially of the full width of the door,latch mechanisms have been used on automobile doors wlierein'the outside latch operating devices are connected tothe latch bolts by means circumventing an edge of the window in such manner, that the jamb edge thereof may lie substantially against or adjacent to the jamb edge of the door.

A maximum of vision from the interior of the closed body is thus obtained.

The main object of this invention is to provide a latch mechanism, wherein the connection between the latch bolt and the outside latch operating device permits the use of a window of substantially the full width of the door, which is simple, inexpensive, eiicient, and capable of application to the door in an easy manner that does not neces- "sitate extensive alteration thereof. Further objects and advantages will become apparent with the further description hereinafter following. The` manner in which the objects of th invention maybe attained will be made clear by showing and describinga specific embodiment thereof. l

The figures of the drawings are7 as follows:

Fig. 1 is a horizontal section view through a door and door post, showing the latch mechanism in the top plan v Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the jamb face of the door and latch mechanism, the keeper being shown, however, to indicate 40 the relationship of parts; and

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the latch mechanism in latched and unlatched positions.

The latch mechanism is disclosed as being mainly within the well or pocket 1 of the door of a closed automobile body. A sliding window 2 is also within such well orV pocket in most positions of the window.

,In accomplishing ythe provision of a latch mechanism having the desirable Vcharacteristic of simplicity, it is contemplated to use an integral latch member, forming not only the latch bolt but also the interconnecting or interlocking member between the outside and inside latch operating devices.` This latchmember comprises two aligned arms 3 and 4 spaced apart as at 5. Extending outwardly toward the jamb face of the door fromkthe spaced apart ends of the aligned ,arms is a substantially U-shaped member having legs 6 and 7 connected respectively with the ends of the arms 3 and l1, and a bightV portion 8. The legs 6 and 7 extend past the jamb edge of the door through an elongated opening 9 in the j amb face thereplane of the jamb face of the door. -The free ends of the aligned arms are journaled in the outer and inner door panels 10 and 11, respectively, whereby the latch member Vmay be bodily oscillated. It will be apparent that the slot 9 affords clearance for the outer ends of the legs 6 and 7, and for the bight 8, during such oscillatable movement. The bight 8l forms the latch bolt and is adapted to engage behind a keeper' 12, on the door post, when at the limit of its movement in one direction. It should be observed here that the ends of the slot 9 serve to limit the oscillatable movement of the latch member. YThe keeper is providedv with a two faced cam surfaceso that the latch bolt will ride over and drop down behind the keeper upon slamming of the door.

In the journaling of the free ends of the latch member in the inner and outer door panels any suitable means may be used. The method followed in the present instance is to provide a supporting or reinforcing ing as being of one type, While thel Outer vof. The bight portion 8 lies beyond the" handle i6 is shown as being of another type, An escutcheon ring 17 completes the appearance oi' the door.

It is not necessary to use a spring in the mechanism, since gravity will efficiently return the bolt to keeper engaged position. However, the employment oi: a spring to supplement the force of gravity is preferablesince such spring could also be capable ofr'etainin'g the bolt against rattle.`

The operation of the latch mechanism is thought to be obvious from the foregoing description. Then either of the operating handles are turned in a counter clockwise direction the latch member moves bodil and the bight 8 is lifted above the keeper 1 2. The voperating handles being released the latch member` will move in the reverse direc-tion until the limit of the slot 9 is reached. This return movement may be obtained solely by gravity or 'also by the 'use of a spring. If' the v'door is slammed the lower edge of the bight 8 will engage the cam surface of the keeper and ride up over f the same, falling therebehind.k

A latch mechanism according to that described comprises a minimum number of parts. The latch member proper being an integral member maybe inexpensively produced as a casting. The spaced legs I6 and '7j provide an ample space for the accommodation oi" the window glass2,enabling suc-h glass to extend substantially to the jamb edge 'oi the door. The 'ease with which the mechanism may beattached to. the door, as well as other advantages, 'are so .apparent that reference th'eretois unnecessary.

There I have used herein and in the Jf'olglowing claims, the expression a window of substantially the full width of the door, or a similar expression, it `has reference more particularly to the relative extent of the door and sliding window at the latch side oi" the door, with which my invention 'is more' particularly concerned.

The invention, of' course, is susceptible of various modifications and adaptations within the scope of the appended claims.

Vhat I claim is l. na latch mechanism for an automobile door havingfa window of substantially the full width of the door slidable therein,

inside and 'outside latch 'operating devices extending mwardlyof thejdo'o'r lin opposite directions to points adjacent to the window Von opposite'sides thereof, and a latch of substantiallyv U-shape having it bightportion lying without the plane of the jamb. face o i the do'o'r and its arms extending inwardlyA 'of they j amb. face and vembracing said window, the inner -ends of" said arms andfthe inner ends of said operating devices being respectively connected together.

2; In a latch mechanism for .an automobile do'or having a window oi substantially 'll-shaped portion extending at right angles the full Width of the door slidable therein, inside and outside latch operating devices extending inwardly of the door in opposite directions to points adjacent to the window on opposite sides thereof, and a latch of substantially U-shape having its bight portion lying without the plane of the jamb face of the door and its arms extending inwardly of the jamb face and embracing saidwindow, said latch and said operatingdevices being integrally joined together.

3. Ina latch mechanism for an automobile door having a window of substantially the full width of the door and slidable therein, an integral latch bolt member having spaced end portions arranged on opposite sides of the window and extending outwardly in opposite directions for connection with operating handles and a substantiallyfrom the inner ends of. the end portions.l

4. In alatch mechanism for an automobile door having a window of substantially the full widthV of the ldoor slidable therein,.. an integral member having spaced end 'por- 90 tions extending in opposite directions and a substantially U-shaped portion extending at 'right angles from the inner ends of 'the end portions, the 'outer end ol each end por. tion being 'oscillat-ably j'ournaled in the-inner '95 and outer sides of the door` respectively and the outer end of the U-shaped porti-on lying without the j amb .face of the door. Y

5. In combination with the door of an automobile of the t pe having a window. 'of '100 substantially the full width lofthe door slidable therein anda door post, a latch mechanism, said mechanism v(':oniprising- 'a ysubstantially U-shaped member having portionsxe'xtending in opposite directions iromthe `ends of its arms, said portions beingV ournaled in the outer and inner sides of the door, and a keeper on the door post adapted toy `be `ei'igaged byY the Abight portionl of the- U-shapedmember'; 110

6. In combfnation with the door of an automobi-le' 'oi' the type having a wind'owoi' substantially the full width of the door slidable therein and 'a 'door V'post,a latch mecha-.. nism, said vmechanism comprising a substantially U- shaped member having portions Jextending in opposite directions from the ends 'of' its arms, said portions being jpurnaled in the outerand inner sides of thed'oor and having operating handles 'attachedv to their 120 Youter ends, and va keeper on the'd'oorpost,

whereby when said operating handles are member will have oscillat'abl'e movement to. and from keeper engaged position. 7. Ina latch mechanism for an automobile door having inner and: outer panels anda window of' substantially the `full width 'of the door and vslidabfl'e therein, inside and'.

toutside latch op'eratingclevices secured to 30 the inside and outside door panels respectively, and a latch portion rigidly connected to the inner ends of said devices and straddling the edge of the window.

8. In a latch mechanism for a vehicle door having a window of substantially the full width of the door slidable therein, inside and outside latch operating devices extending inwardly of the adjacent lateral faces of the door toward the plane of the window,

and a latch of substantially U-shaped having its bight portion lying without the main body of the door at a vertical edge thereof and its arms extended inwardly through the vertical edge of the door and embracing the vertical edge of the window, said arms being, respectively, operatively connected to the inside and outside operating devices.

9. In a latch mechanism for a vehicle door having a window of substantially the full width of the door slidable therein, inside and outside latch operating devices, and a U-shaped pivoted llatch bolt straddling the4 edge of the window, and having its bight portion arranged beyond the main body of the door at a vertical edge thereof and its arms passing through the edge of the door into the interior thereof on opposite sides of the window, said inside 'and outside operating devices being connected with said latch bolt to actuate it.

10. In a latch mechanism for a vehicle door having a window of substantially the full width of the door slidable therein, in-

side and outside latch operating devices, and

a U-shaped latch bolt pivoted on a horizontal axis straddling the edge of the window, and having its bight portion arranged beyond the main body of the door at a vertical edge thereof and its arms passing through the edge of the door into the interior thereof on opposite sides of the window, said inside and outside operating devicesv being connected with said latch bolt to actuate it.

In testimony whereof he hereunto aHXes Y his signature.v

LEON EDELSON. 

